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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Repeating pocket watch

Men's gold repeating watch

Partially verified

This gold men's watch, held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (accession number BK-15015), is dated to the period between circa 1800 and circa 1815. The watch functions as a repeating timepiece and is distinguished by the inclusion of movable figures on the dial, rendered in 'quatre couleurs' gold. The central portion of the dial features a white enamelled chapter ring indicating the time, which is flanked on either side by figures dressed in Roman-style attire. The back of the gold watch case is plain. The overall dimensions of the object are recorded as 5.5 cm in diameter and 1.6 cm in depth, with a height of 7.5 cm including the bow. The watch is catalogued by the museum as jewellery and a watch. The current documentation provides details on material composition and physical measurements but does not identify a specific maker.

Front view of the gold repeating watch showing the enamelled chapter ring, automaton figures, and internal bells.
Front view of the gold repeating watch showing the enamelled chapter ring, automaton figures, and internal bells. — Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-15015
Source-reported date
c. 1800 - c. 1815
Source-reported place
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The watch is housed in a gold case, which features a plain, unadorned back. The design prioritizes the complex presentation of the dial, which serves as both a time-telling face and an automaton display. A central, white enamelled chapter ring displays standard Arabic numerals for the hours.

This central ring is flanked by two three-dimensional figures crafted in 'quatre couleurs' gold. These figures are dressed in Roman attire and are integrated into the repeating mechanism. Positioned above the chapter ring are two small bells, which are integral to the watch's repeating functionality, suggesting a high degree of decorative and mechanical complexity intended for the wearer's entertainment.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case back is plain.”
  • “In the centre is a white enamelled chapter ring flanked by two figures in Roman attire.”
  • “movable figures in 'quatre couleurs'”

Mechanical and Functional Aspects

The watch is classified as a repeating watch, a feature that indicates the time audibly upon activation. The presence of bells on the dial surface suggests they are struck by the automaton figures during the striking sequence.

While the internal movement is not detailed in the provided documentation, the visible presence of bells and the automaton arrangement confirms its status as a repeating timepiece.

Evidence for this section
  • “Men's watch, repeating watch, of gold with movable figures in 'quatre couleurs'.”

Provenance and Identification

The watch is part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, registered under the accession number BK-15015. It is documented as a men's watch, and the museum categorizes it under both jewellery and watch classifications.

The dating provided by the museum places the object in the early 19th century, specifically between circa 1800 and 1815. Current institutional records define the object's physical properties, including its material composition and dimensions, but do not provide a record of a specific manufacturer, leaving the exact origins of its creation as a point for future research.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-15015”
  • “Men's watch of gold, c. 1800–c. 1815 (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, BK-15015)”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer or workshop associated with this repeating automaton watch?
  • How do the automaton figures interact with the striking train mechanism?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Men's gold repeating watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Holding institutionRijksmuseum, Amsterdam“Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam”
Object numberBK-15015“BK-15015”
MaterialGold“gold (metal)”
Datec. 1800 – c. 1815“c. 1800–c. 1815”
Diameter5.5 cm“diameter 5.5 cm”
Depth1.6 cm“depth 1.6 cm”
Dial featureWhite enamelled chapter ring“In the centre is a white enamelled chapter ring”
AutomatonMovable figures in four-color gold“movable figures in 'quatre couleurs'”

Visible details

  • Central white enamelled chapter ring with Arabic numerals
  • Two automaton figures in Roman attire positioned on the dial
  • Visible bell mechanism located above the chapter ring
  • Plain, polished gold case back

Research qualifications

  • The exact identity of the watchmaker remains unverified by the provided source.
  • The specific mechanisms of the repeater and the automaton figures require further technical assessment.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Men's watch of gold, c. 1800–c. 1815 (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, BK-15015)

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 3792de6370

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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